Connacht squad 2018-2019.

Some turnover to expect according to K.K

Gone :
Heenan, Muldoon

Very likely to go :
Ili (has played 20 minute with senior team,+ NIQ spot)
Ahki (rumoured in France, on the bench behind Griffin)
Robb (injury profile)
Crosbie or Deegan (maybe both as Ronaldson is back to 10)
Brennan
J.P Cooney
one of Kerrins or C.McKeon

May well be released
Browne (injury profile)
O'Toole (depends on the fare as 4rd choice hooker)

Should stay IMO but unsure
Dawai
McCoy
McCabe
Connolly
Griffin
Leader

Should absolutely be re-signed
E.Masterson
Ronaldson
Healy
Coulson
Delahunt
Blade
E.McKeon
Kelleher (not a huge fan but K.K seems to be)

I doubt Kerins is going anywhere, academy year 2...

I don't think we should afford 5 (quality btw) SHs

Anyway as Keane talked about massive clearout, I'd say the 10 names I quoted + 1 of Dawai/Connolly + 1 or 2 "surprise" may be released.

Lose more (30% of our squad!!) would be a mistake. The team this season is average but not bad (except 2 disasters away Dragons/Zebre). No crisis to justify for more IMO...
And even with enlisting 3 NIQ/Project, promoting 2 Academy guys, it would mean finding 7/8 IQ abroad/from other provinces. That's already a big ask

Dropping a player who was (by a country mile) the starting Irish u20 scrum half from the academy half way through the usual three year term would be, frankly, batsh*t.

connachta wrote: Anyway as Keane talked about massive clearout...

Anyone got a link for that, would be interested in reading/listening.

Ahki confirmed to Toulouse in today French Midol

connachta wrote: I don't think we should afford 5 (quality btw) SHs

Anyway as Keane talked about massive clearout, I'd say the 10 names I quoted + 1 of Dawai/Connolly + 1 or 2 "surprise" may be released.

Lose more (30% of our squad!!) would be a mistake. The team this season is average but not bad (except 2 disasters away Dragons/Zebre). No crisis to justify for more IMO...
And even with enlisting 3 NIQ/Project, promoting 2 Academy guys, it would mean finding 7/8 IQ abroad/from other provinces. That's already a big ask

Agree. I'm all for dropping a player as long as you can bring in someone better to replace them. Of course if KK has little intention of playing someone like Ili or Ahki unless injury/call ups force him to, as a player I'd rather move on.

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-academy-pl...gn-senior-contracts/

Great news.

FACECUTTR wrote: www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-academy-pl...gn-senior-contracts/

Great news.

I wonder is Browne leaving, 7 would be a lot of senior locks.

I think he could..
But 6 locks (2 of them busy with Ireland, 3 under 24 y.o) that's not that much, attritional position

That's why an 8/5 profile like Copeland would be very handy.

Was wondering that myself. More than half the Pro 12 winning 23 now gone/going (Henshaw, AJ, Loughs, Muldowney, Heenan, Muldoon, Rodney, John Cooney, SOL) or might be going (McKeon, JP, Browne, Robb).

salmson wrote: Was wondering that myself. More than half the Pro 12 winning 23 now gone/going (Henshaw, AJ, Loughs, Muldowney, Heenan, Muldoon, Rodney, John Cooney, SOL) or might be going (McKeon, JP, Browne, Robb).

Really hope McKeon doesn't leave, we'll need his ball carrying next season. Metres per carry from our back rowers this season:

Butler - 2.52
Connolly - 5.93 (only 14 carries)
Dawai - 2.88
Heenan - 2.12 (only 17 carries)
Masterson - 1.38
McKeon - 4.95
Muldoon - 1.81
O'Brien - 1.78

I was expecting way more of SOB

connachta wrote: I was expecting way more of SOB

Yeah he hasn’t been at his best, he’s had a bad time with injuries though. If he gets a good run through the rest of the season and a full pre season I think he can be a star next season. No way is he an 8 though.

Here's the senior squad members who aren't confirmed as staying (or as leaving) ordered by minutes played this season.

Great to some more homegrown lads from the academy making it through, the fact that two are good auld Shligo boys is even better.